Cornwall Council has come under fire from people who claim they referred to disabled people as being a "burden".

Council tax bills started to drop onto doormats last week and include some information from the council about how the bills are formulated.

Explaining why the council has imposed an extra 2% rise for adult social care it states: "The Government have suggested that councils could increase bills by up to 3% in 2018/19 to help fund adult social care. Cornwall Council, in keeping the burden on taxpayers to a minimum, will only raise an additional social care precept of 2% and your bill above includes this."

However, while the council was referring to the financial burden on taxpayers some said they believed the council was describing those in need of social care as being a burden.

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Writing on the council's Facebook page Marie Louisa Ralph stated: "So, Cornwall Council sees people with disabilities as a 'burden?' So they don’t 'burden' the taxpayers for the inconvenience and selfishness in being disabled, CC have upped our council tax bills to ease the poor taxpayer; for a service that's being drastically cut?

"Disgraceful, Cornwall Council. Not only did you avoid telling thousands of disabled people and carers their service is being cut, you then tell the tax payer they are seen as a burden on society.

"You should be ashamed of yourself; and maybe get a new writer in for your paperwork who’s done an equality and diversity awareness course?"

Some people criticised the use of the word 'burden'

Lel Shiner wrote: "How dare you describe people needing this service as a burden? Are school children who cost us money in educational budgets described as a burden? No, they are not.

"I suggest you rethink your mindset and realise that disabled people have the same right to respect as non-disabled. People do not choose to be disabled and would much prefer not to need social care, but life is a lottery and no one knows whether or not they may one day be in this position."

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In a statement Cornwall Council said: "There is absolutely no intention of implying that those receiving adult social care are in any way a burden, but rather that the council has tried to lessen the financial burden on its residents by not raising the social care precept by the 3% suggested by the Government.

"The council is committed to protecting services for vulnerable adults which is reflected in its budget with a 10% increase in funding for Adult Social Care."